More Fantasy World

I’m still writing stories set in the fantasy world of planet Traber—you know—fairy-dragons perching on your shoulder and mentally speaking with you. Sexy warriors who delight in pleasuring you. Someone else to do the cooking, laundry, and cleaning.

Well, actually, some of my characters do find themselves cooking and cleaning. But it’s more fun to leave the mundane things behind and write the love scenes.

Here’s a scene from The Sultan’s Revenge, my newest novella from amberheat.com. Rima, a captive princess, is the sultan’s bondservant. Her shoulder has been bruised and he takes her to his private quarters to treat the injury. As a romance reader, you know there’s bound to be a little—hanky panky ☺.

Here’s part of what happens:

Now he slipped behind her, moved her fall of hair, bound in a plain cord, to the right side of her neck, and stroked more scented oil across her upper spine and left shoulder.
Fighting her almost helpless attraction to Khalid, she said, “My Lord Sidi, I sustained no injury on—”
In a low, rich voice, he said, “It is written to have balance in all things.”
“Yes. Balance,” she agreed, caught once more in the spell of this tender warrior.
His warm breath flowed across her skin—already sensitized by the fragrant oil. His strong thumbs and fingers kneaded and pressed into tight muscles, loosening and soothing away knots of tension. As her pain disappeared, she became more aware of Khalid’s vibrant body only inches from hers. A slow heat pooled in her lower belly. A hungry pressure grew between her thighs—one she’d felt before at Khalid’s touch; one that had left her aching for relief; one she had instinctively known, then and now, only he could ease—could satisfy.
Helplessly, her head tipped back.
“Better?” he asked, both hands cupping her shoulders.
She licked her lips, trying to formulate an answer, while her tongue felt too heavy to say a word.
“Rima”—he pressed a lingering kiss on the back of her neck—“your skin is like living silk.”
Any words she might have said were lost in a heady rush of desire.
With a knowing chuckle, he moved around the bench, and once more knelt, facing her.
She stared into his black eyes where flecks of silver shimmered in their depths. In the past, his eyes had seemed devoid of emotion. Now they blazed with passion—and strangely—a hint of need. In a flash of insight, she realized this great sultan, who ruled a wild land and led hard, disciplined warriors, wanted her, not just as a sex object, but more.
She lay her palm on his cheek and felt the ripple of muscles tensing under her touch. “My lord, my sidi, yes,” she said, “touch me. Teach me the reality of the sterile lessons I learned from the Keeper of the Flame.”
Moments passed as he studied her. The only sound in the room was the crackle of flames in the fireplace. Khalid’s gaze swept over her with a slow, hot force that heated her blood.
“Touch you?” he muttered, slowly drawing one finger across her lower lip.
“Teach you?” He cradled her bare breasts in his hands as if they were the most precious gifts in the world.
Fire licked across her arms and down her body. Her lips yearned for his mouth. Her body trembled with the need to make love with him.
Love?
As she gazed into his dark eyes; felt the hard strength of his fingers carefully holding her tender beasts, the realization burst into her mind.
By the great Mother of Creation, I’ve fallen in love with my enemy.


Warm Regards,

Barbara
Writing as April Reid
www.april-reid.com

Finding a quiet place to write

As I hopped in the shower, my mind was buzzing. Call about setting up new committee next week! Call about breakfast meeting at Rotary Club next week! Book cabins for next summer! Run over to merchant for prize donation! Oh, and of course, blog today! Arrgghh!! (and ‘talk like a pirate day’ is long past!)

How does one write amongst all this chaos? The simple fact is – sometimes you do, sometimes you don’t. The simple reality is – I promised AQ a story at the end of October, and I have to get it done! (can you hear a second Arrgghh gurgling in my throat?)

A writer friend of mine once said ‘you have to find a quiet place from which to write’. I thought it was one of those really cool truisms but I really had no idea what it meant. I’m rapidly finding out, as the cacophony of my life is making it difficult to write. I am finding that when I clear the junk out of my life, and it’s not constantly buzzing in my head, words and phrases and descriptions and plot twists bubble to the surface. When my head’s full of other things the noise tends to drown out the writing. I can still write in this state (most of the time) but it tends to come out stilted (she went downstairs, he went outside) and needs massive editing (she glided down the massive oak staircase, careful not to step on the train of her blue chiffon gown, blah blah).

How does one find this quiet place, so that the muse can whisper sweet nothings into your ear? I don’t really have any magic wand to wipe the rest of the world away. But I do have a number of ‘de-stressers’ that can create some space and peace in your life, or give you the illusion of it for short periods of time, so you can steal a few hours in the midst of your latest life crisis (right now I’m trying to put on a poker fundraiser at the same time as trying to get this story done!) and accomplish current writing goals (and keep any promises made to Trace in a moment of madness!)

So, here’s my latest top ten list, in no particular order, of ways to create a quiet place to write from, even if it’s only for a few hours:

1. Music. We’re not talking Metallica here (although I have a fondness for Whiskey In the Jar.) What is it with being in your mid-forties – I am having the worst time sleeping, and letting go of the day. I’ve discovered ‘sleep music’ - particularly David and Steve Gordon, and an album called “Pillow Music’. It’s a wonderful combo of soft music and nature sounds that’s very relaxing. Someone at my church told me they work at their computer to it – I actually haven’t tried that yet. But I do love to play romantic music when I’m writing romance – Billy Joel’s “You’re My Home’, kick ass stuff when I’m writing a crazy heroine - ‘We built this city’ by Jefferson Starship.

2. Make lists and use them. Nothing is worse than stuff swirling in your mind that you have to do and you’re afraid you’re going to forget. Instead of repeating it every 10 minutes like a mantra, start a to-do list and write it down, and get to it when you have time. I like to use the software “Lifebalance” for my Palm pilot, but there’s lots of software out there. And of course, good old paper and pencil (just don’t lose it!)

3. Schedule your day and protect your writing time. How come common sense just isn’t ‘common’? Take five minutes to look at your week. When is the best time to write, when is the best time to run errands, when is the best time to cook, etc. The put your writing time on your schedule in ‘permanent ink’, turn off the phone and the email, and try not to schedule anything else during that time.

4. Sign up for Flylady. I found this years ago. It really is magic – a supportive, non-judgmental, really practical on-line group that helps you declutter your life. It’s amazing how much less stress you have, and your family has, when there’s less junk in every corner. www.Flylady.net.

5. Exercise or take a walk: Exercise is a natural de-stresser – something about endorphins and all those other good chemicals. I like to do it in the morning - I seem to feel less stress when I start my day at the computer feeling like I’ve already accomplished something. As far as walking – sometimes it’s great to get away from the computer when the plot or the characters are a mess, pace the neighborhood and let your mind race. The muse that was hiding in the closet will sometimes decide the scenery looks better and come along for a stroll.

6. Go on a retreat. One of my critique groups goes on an annual retreat to a place with large houses way out in the woods. There are no TVs, no phones, no kids or husbands, lots of amazing food and camaraderie. Sometimes I fly in half dressed, half packed, babbling incoherently, and haven’t submitted anything for critiquing in months. Sometimes we write short stories. Sometimes we do relaxation exercises. But I always leave refreshed, relaxed, and with a fresh determination to write.

7. Go write away from home. Last year I had two months to write “Cooking With K.C.” and one life crisis after another. I almost had a panic attack when I went to Pittsburgh to help with a dying uncle, knowing I had the February deadline and not sure how I was going to meet it. My 11 year old kept wanting to go to Games Workshop and play for a few hours. The last thing I wanted to do was leave my computer at home and drive him around. So I started packing up the story onto my NEC mobilepro (mini-laptop) and writing there. Magic! No one knew me there. No one bothered me. I told Montana to keep playing. And I dedicated the story to him.

8. Stop procrastinating and write. One of my critique friends wrote the other day ‘Why does it always seem harder before you begin and then when you're into it you wonder ... what the heck was the problem.’ Exactly. Much more stressful to worry about what you haven’t written and have to write than to actually … write!

9. Learn to say no. This is another common sense ‘duh’ that I’m not good at but trying. My kids want to send me to ‘volunteers anonymous’. It’s the curse of the stay-at-home mom. I told someone I was trying to declutter my schedule and dropping one of the boards I’m on and she said ‘so, you’ll have more time to join my committee’. Arrgghh! No!

10. Turn off the TV. It is a big time suck. I tune in for five minutes and two hours are gone. And then I’m surprised when I can’t sleep because I wasted the only two writing hours I had all day. Hide the remotes!

So, that’s my list. What’s on yours? I’m begging you – I’m always looking for good ideas. Help. De-stressers.

(and if anyone wants to buy tickets to a poker fundraiser, let me know!)

-Kelsey Lewis
Stories that are romantic ... and erotic
http://www.kelsey-lewis.com/
Yahoo group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kelseylewiserotica/
Stories available: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberHeat/bio_Lewis.html

Reunion
"The passion between the characters was so intense that you felt heartache when they couldn't be together." ~ Aline de Chevigny, In the Library Reviews

Desirable Enemy - The plot throws the reader into the story immediately and continues to be fast paced throughout. ~ Jean, Fallen Angel Reviews

Cooking with K.C. - A wonderful romance that will put a smile on your face. ~ Wateena, Coffee Time Romance

Novella cover

Here's the cover for an upcoming Contemporary novella...(click on the thumbnail for the full-sized version)....

What Lies In Winter by Cassidy Kent (Available October 2006)

Trace Edward Zaber
Owner/Editorial Director/Creative Director
Amber Quill Press, LLC
The Gold Standard In Publishing!
http://amberquill.com

The Power of Three

What is it about the number three that feels so satisfying?

"Good things come in threes." "Bad things come in threes." How many sayings can you think of that involve the number three? If you need some help, here are thirty-one sayings that use the number three. (My favorite is number eighteen.)

You may not have heard of one of my favorite "three" sayings, which comes from my old day job in computer software: "Fast, cheap, or good--pick two." For example, you can have software that works well (good) that can also be created quickly (fast)--but it won't be cheap to develop. Or, you can have software that works well (good) and costs little to develop (cheap)--but, odds are, the software will take a dog's age to create.

And, speaking of threes... (not the most graceful of segues, but, hey...)

The latest AmberPax, "Torn", includes five hot menage (threesome) stories. The full rundown, in alphabetical order by last name:

Semper Fi by Barrie Abalard (Okay, mine's first, so shoot me, LOL)
Private Audition by Shara Bloodstone
No Choice by Adrianna Dane
Wake-Up Call by Penny Dawn
Sache's Consort by Isabella Jordan

Talk about the satisfaction of three!

Below is an excerpt from my menage book, "Semper Fi". I hope you like it!

Barrie A.

****
Excerpt from "Semper Fi" © 2006 Barrie Abalard. All rights reserved.
****

Connie considered her next words carefully. She’d seen the
medallion and had felt an irresistible urge to take it while he snored. A
man she’d loved years ago had died while serving his country, and her
dead lover’s parents had refused to let her have his unit medallion from
his first sergeant, not even long enough to make photocopies. They’d
buried it with their son. She supposed that was why Jake’s medallion
had attracted her. Though, of course, she hadn’t intended to keep it.
She’d just wanted to enjoy the feel of it in her hand for a while.

Oh, and I suppose it’s not because I’m drawn to Jake like a mouse
to cheese.

“If you’re that desperate to spank a woman, I wouldn’t mind. But I
want breakfast first.” Connie peeped at him over the rim of her coffee
cup while sipping. Then she looked at Amanda. She knew, from
Mandy’s pout, that her friend wanted more sex right now.

But Jake said, “Sounds like a plan.” He dug into one of the bags,
extracting an oversized breakfast sandwich. “My favorite,” he said
before taking a large bite. “Mmm.”

Connie unwrapped her egg-whites-on-English-muffin while staring
at his sandwich. She loved junk food, but remained on a diet most of
the time. Her jeans were tight enough as it was. Amanda, on the other
hand, was lithe and toned, with silky red hair falling past her shoulders.
Amanda always got the best men.

But Mandy’s my friend.

Connie’s jealous thoughts produced a twinge of guilt. She put her
sandwich down, appetite momentarily gone. Yes, Mandy was her
friend, but she really, really liked the Marine, and not just because of
his prowess in the sack.

“Pretty good,” her friend said, chomping on a sandwich almost as
large and fattening as the Marine’s while batting her big, blue eyes.

Friend or not, Connie wanted to strangle her.

Then Amanda swore under her breath. “I forgot that I work this
afternoon. No time for fun after breakfast. You want us to drop you
back at your car?”

Even though Connie wanted Jake, she also wanted to pump her fist
in the air. Amanda wasn’t going to have him again this morning.

****
Excerpt from "Semper Fi" © 2006 Barrie Abalard. All rights reserved.
****

Final "Superhero" cover

Here's the cover for the last story in the "Lusty League" (Superhero) AmberPax...(click on the thumbnail for the full-sized version)....

The Adventures of Molten Man (No. 1) by Bernadette Gardner (Available October 2006)

Trace Edward Zaber
Owner/Editorial Director/Creative Director
Amber Quill Press, LLC
The Gold Standard In Publishing!
http://amberquill.com

And another "Superhero" cover

Here's another cover for a story in the "Lusty League" (Superhero) AmberPax...(click on the thumbnail for the full-sized version)....

Cimmerean League: Revelations by Kelly Maher (Available October 2006)

Trace Edward Zaber
Owner/Editorial Director/Creative Director
Amber Quill Press, LLC
The Gold Standard In Publishing!
http://amberquill.com

Another AmberPax cover

Here's the cover for the upcoming The Lusty League (Superhero) AmberPax collection...(click on the thumbnail for the full-sized version)....

The Lusty League by Various Authors (Available October 2006)

Trace Edward Zaber
Owner/Editorial Director/Creative Director
Amber Quill Press, LLC
The Gold Standard In Publishing!
http://amberquill.com

AmberPax Cover

Here's the cover for the upcoming Hidden Desires (Gay - M/M) AmberPax collection...(click on the thumbnail for the full-sized version)....

Hidden Desires by Various Authors (Available October 2006)

Trace Edward Zaber
Owner/Editorial Director/Creative Director
Amber Quill Press, LLC
The Gold Standard In Publishing!
http://amberquill.com

Nip-And-Tuck, Ta Da...

I should be talking about my newest release, The Sultan’s Revenge, going on sale this weekend at http://amberquill.com/Amber-Heat/SultansRevenge.html.

Instead, I’ll regale you with my adventures as a nip-and-tuck patient. Not the TV program—reality.

Around ten years ago, my ophthalmologist commented that I should have surgery on my eyelids to correct some loose skin that drooped down and interfered with my peripheral vision. I put it off. I was busy, I didn’t want any surgery, and it would have been expensive.

Fast forward to earlier this year when I began to notice my view of things at the side had become restricted. Slamming a cupboard door into the side of my face was a good clue. Brushing my fingers across a hot pan, while cooking, was another, especially since it happened more than once. LOL

This time, the doctor told me the surgery had become a medical necessity, so the date—August 29th—was set and I had the “Nip-and-Tuck,” done.

The trickiest part, for me, was coming home with my eyes bandaged from that morning until the next morning at 9 a.m.. No fancy suite of rooms with nurses in attendance like the rich and famous seem to favor.

I learned:
Labels on the back of clothes are great for knowing which way is correct.
Panties with labels in a side seam are trickier.
To put toothpaste on your brush, hold the head with bristles up, and add toothpaste—to brush and fingers.
It’s possible to put butter and honey on your toast if you don’t mind sticky fingers.
And lots more…

Believe me, it gave me a new appreciation for any and all accomplishments made by a blind person.

What a relief when the bandages came off. Of course, both eyelids and below the eyes was bruised and swollen. That’s when the jokes began, such as, “Who popped you?” My white-haired, 80 years old husband said, “People will think I worked you over.”

The doctor was right; my peripheral vision is much improved.

And, as an author, the experience gave me an experience I may use one day in a story.


Warm Regards,

Barbara Clark
aka April Reid

Two New Covers...

Here are two new covers for upcoming releases....one is a single (stand-alone) Amber Kiss (Contemporary / BDSM / Ménage) while the other story (Gay / Sci-Fi) is the last in the "Hidden Desires" (Gay) AmberPax...(click on the thumbnails for the full-sized versions)....

       

Playtime by Caitlyn Willows (Available October 2006)
Treading Dangerous Ground by Deirdre O'Dare (Available October 2006)

Trace Edward Zaber
Owner/Editorial Director/Creative Director
Amber Quill Press, LLC
The Gold Standard In Publishing!
http://amberquill.com

Rattlesnakes

This is just a quick invitation to come read my latest rattlesnake adventure. Some of you may recall I once had one in the house in the middle of the night. The latest was not pleasant... www.cavecreekcowboys.com

Brit

Another "Superhero" cover

Here's another cover for a story in the "Lusty League" (Superhero) AmberPax...(click on the thumbnail for the full-sized version)....

Sea Sentinel, Episode I: From The Waters by Adrianna Dane (Available October 2006)

Trace Edward Zaber
Owner/Editorial Director/Creative Director
Amber Quill Press, LLC
The Gold Standard In Publishing!
http://amberquill.com

First Times and Grocery Store Lovin'

I love first times.

The first time I flew in an airplane...the first time I ate sushi...the first time I saw my husband's smile.

The first time I blogged. Yeah, THAT was a memorable day. Took me two hours to figure out how to use Blogger, and I still managed to screw up the font and spacing.

And today I'm blogging at Amber Heat for the first time. Naturally, I didn't plan ahead on a topic or anything, because I'm just not that organized. But as long as I started on the subject of first times...

The first time my father ever said he was proud of me was when I published an article in the school newspaper. My dad is a HUGE reader -- goes through books like other people go through Doritos. Not so much a newspaper/nonfiction kind of guy, but still -- seeing my name in print seemed to give him a thrill. However, he's also a conservative kind of guy, so he's not so nuts about my current chosen genre. He's pleased that I'm still writing, but he wishes I'd do...I dunno...straight Westerns. Or maybe some inspirational stories or non-sexy mysteries.

So when I was downstate visiting my folks last month and my dad announced to everyone in the immediate vicinity of the small grocery store we happened to be standing in that "my daughter writes smut books!"...well, it threw me a bit.

The cashier looked at me like I was a cockroach that had crawled out from under a nearby bag of dogfood. The girl bagging our groceries, however, was TOTALLY intrigued. Wanted titles. Was looking around for a pen and paper to write them down. Was a little disappointed when I said my work was only available online (for the time being) but I gave her Amber Quill's url and my own website addy, and she said she'd for sure check them out.

I had no idea how to handle the stares of ten or so people who'd been listening in the conversation. My dad seemed to think the whole thing was hilarious. It took me a while to warm up to the "funny" inherent in the situation, to tell the truth. But I get it now. It was Dad's way of saying he was okay with whatever I wanted to write, so long as it made me happy. Not being able to express such sentiments in a one-on-one conversation, he chose instead to alert the entire community.

(And if you don't think the entire community now knows that Big Al's daughter writes smut, you don't know much about small towns.)

And just because I feel I should somehow link this to my current Amber Heat release...

There's a scene in LIE TO ME (part of the "Just the Bare Facts, Ma'am" AmberPax) that takes place in the stockroom of a grocery store between my heroine, MJ Peters, and the man she can't seem to resist, Drew Donnelly. It's some of the hottest sex I've ever written, and I'm pretty proud of it. If you don't think grocery stores can be sexy, I dare you to check it out. ;)

How's that for a smooth segue?

And as first times go, I think this post doesn't suck, huh?

Have a fantastic day,
Selah
SelahMarch.com - Romance of Dubious Virtue

Another M/M cover

Here's another cover for a story in the "Hidden Desires" (Gay) AmberPax...(click on the thumbnail for the full-sized version)....

Souls Deep by M. L. Rhodes (Available October 2006)

Trace Edward Zaber
Owner/Editorial Director/Creative Director
Amber Quill Press, LLC
The Gold Standard In Publishing!
http://amberquill.com

Midnight Brew and the Sexy Witch!

While you're hopping the blogsphere, check out the Midnight Moon Cafe this Thursday night (Sept. 14) when our guest will be witchy sexpert LaSara FireFox! After my interview with Ms. FireFox, the sex scenes in my current work-in-progress took on a whole new perspective, and I gotta say–it's scortching hot! ;)

Change

I almost forgot where I was supposed to be today. I glanced down at my calendar as I was writing up a blog for my personal blog and it said "AQP Blog." My heart stopped. I hate forgetting things. That's why I write them down, but lately it's getting bad.

Since I decided three years to commit my time to writing days just seem to fly by. It's amazing how things change when you commit yourself to your passion. I enjoyed being a legal secretary, but my passion has always been the books and writing. My imagination never seems to fail me. Of course, it's always been there since I first was able to form thoughts.

Every now and then I think about what drew me to read and write in the romance genre. Believe it or not I think it's just something that I was born with. Even before I opened my first romance novel, I was playing out romantic scenes in my head. I think it's a brain chemistry thing.

It isn't that I don't enjoy other genres because I read just about anything and everything. But nothing beats a romance for me. I read the non-HEA ones, but my true love is romance with an HEA.

I do have to say this, what constitues an HEA for me has changed over the years as I have changed. That doesn't necessarily translate into "matured," but it does mean I've changed. Life is so complicated, it isn't black and white, and it becomes more so as each day passes.

Take my writing. My first ideas back in high school were very simple compared to my understanding now. Romance and love just aren't that straight forward. So many series on television tend to think the death sentence is when they marry off the main characters. They just don't understand. There so much more that should happen, so many scenarios that can occur between committed lovers.

It's one of the reasons I like to continue on with a set of characters after a story is completed. There's always so much more to tell as the relationships deepen and change and grow. Just as we all do in life. The story doesn't end when someone says "let's get married." There's so much more to experience.

It's why I like writing ebooks and the versatility I'm allowed. I can explore more about my characters and the worlds they live in and the people they encounter. And just like life, these worlds are made up with all sorts of personalities and settings.

Each day I wake up is such a pleasure. Do you know that since I started writing full time I haven't needed to set the alarm clock? That is just so cool. And there are never enough hours in the day to accomplish everything I want to accomplish. It's no longer a question of the day dragging on and on. Every day is just darn fun in one way or another.

I'm looking out the window right now and the sun is shining and the colors are brilliant. I love the fall, it's my favorite time of year.

I'm so glad I remembered to come and blog today. So, tell me, do you have to set an alarm clock every morning to get you out of bed?

Have a lovely day,
Adrianna

What Comes Next? A Bachelorette Party, Of Course!

GEORGIED has invited you for a chat

*CAFHoncho has accepted*
*SEXYGAL has accepted*
*CATSUIT has accepted*
*batter257 has accepted*

CAFHoncho: What's up, Georgie? I'm at WORK.

GEORGIE: Hey, everyone! Thanks for coming in. I can't believe we were all online at the same time!!!!!

SEXYGAL: I'm always online. :)

CATSUIT: I'm home sick. Some of the kids have suppressed immune systems, so I have to stay away.

SEXYGAL: Aw, I'm sorry, sweetie. Want me to come up and make you some hot soup?

GEORGIED: Hey, Arliss! How's the fuckwad?

batter257: *shrugs* He's got the message, I think.

CAFHoncho: Look, I love the small talk and all...

batter257: Yeah, right

CAFHoncho: But I'm WORKING. What do you want, Georgie?

GEORGIED: Sor-REE! I'm TRYING to plan your BACHELORETTE party! We need to decide when we can all get together.

CAFHoncho: Oh, no, forget it! We're not doing that. So there you go, problem solved.

SEXYGAL: Aw, come on, Cass! We've GOTTA do this! Your last chance to be wild. We can get strippers!

CAFHoncho: You guys are unbelievable. You get it on with some of the hottest rockers in the world, and you STILL want strippers.

batter257: Who says I got it on with anyone?

CATSUIT: She has a point, Marci.

SEXYGAL: Hey, Brad's not around all the time.

GEORGIED: The point is for us to get together. Strippers would be icing

CAFHoncho: What's Jules think about you having strippers at my bachelorette party?

GEORGIED: You know Jules, he'd think it was hot, five sexy women whoopin' it up with half-naked guys. In fact, he'd probably volunteer to be one of them.

SEXYGAL: LOL!

batter257: Can you imagine Robert or Troy doing that?

CAFHoncho: HELL, no!

CATSUIT: Never!

SEXYGAL: Brad would. *fans self* Man, I'm gettin' hot just thinkin' about it!

GEORGIED: Oh, that would be perfect. Get the guys to put on a show for us before the wedding? You're all coming, right?

SEXYGAL: To Nassau? You'd better believe it!

CATSUIT: I don't know...

CAFHoncho: Seth's paying for you all to come down. He insists you were responsible for us getting back together, and need to be properly thanked.

batter257: All together now: Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww *barf*

A day in the life of Julian Manchester

9 am: What the bloody -- what's that noise? Alarm clock? HELL!
10 am: *phone rings*
10:15 am: *assistant knocks on door* "Julian?"
10:20 am: "...yeah?"
"That was Seth, wanting to know where you were."
"In my *expletive deleted* bed, that's where!"
"You were supposed to be in the --"
"*EXPLETIVE DELETED!!*"
11:30 am: "Seth, mate, the next time you schedule a session for before noon, I might have to kill you. Hello, lads!"
1 pm: "This board...she's not giving it to me the way I want it. Yeah, yeah, I know, but...no, you listen! If the board doesn't put out, I can't perform!"
3 pm: "...so then I said, what do you mean it won't fit? It's got enough grease on it to fry a doughnut!"
5 pm: *orders pizza*
7 pm: "Candy? Bonnie? Bubbles? It's Jules. Thought we might hit the town tonight. Yeah, all four. Sure! Right, right, baby. Ta."
Midnight: *dancing*
1 am: *dancing*
2 am *dancing*
3 am *horizontal dancing*
4 am *horizontal dancing*
5 am *horizontal dancing*
6 am *zzzzzzzz*
9 am* ...what's that bloody NOISE again??

Arliss Again

ARLISS BACK AT WORK AFTER HER NUTTY SILVERETTE WEEKEND:

Arliss picks up her phone and dials the desk of her not-romantic-fodder-at-all nemesis, Jerkwad Thompson. As soon as he picks up, she says, "Hey, Thompson. If you steal my parking spot again, I'm going to take my baseball bat and.... Yeah, the same baseball bat. Yeah, I'm serious! Do I look, I mean sound, like I don't mean it? Yeah, I'll hold."

After several seconds, Thompson pops his head into her cubicle from the hallway to check her out. She pats her favorite bat, currently leaning against the file cabinet. His beady eyes widen and he disappears. After several more seconds, Arliss replaces the phone against her ear and listens to his reply.

"I look like I got screwed this weekend? You're crazy." Arliss smirks and continues. "Don’t forget what I said about the parking spot."

She slams the phone and tugs her short skirt a little further down her legs. Robert picked it out and she feels foolish wearing it, but he's supposed to call her on the way home from work and it's so much easier to...

Well, anyway. She figures carrying the baseball bat to work for a week or two will make the point that needs to be made with Thompson after what happened at that baseball game a few weeks back. Sure, it's not the method her shrink, or Robert, recommended for dealing with the jerk-off, but what fun is life with absolutely no rage in it?

To find out more about Arliss and how she got to be this way, check out http://www.elliemarvel.com/bluesilver/arliss.htm

Faith's Horrendous Weekend

Midnight, September 10, 2006. Two Silverettes online.

SEXYGAL: Faithy, baby!

CATSUIT: Hi, Marci. What's up?

SEXYGAL: I left you two hundred messages. You can run, you can hide, but you can't escape my love.

CATSUIT: I've had the busiest weekend. Not the greatest few days, either.

SEXYGAL: Shontae, Shontae, Bo-bontae? Banana-nana-fo-fontae?

CATSUIT: No, actually, that's the one part of my life that seems to have ironed itself out.

SEXYGAL: Thank God! I didn't want to have to fly up there to kick his ass. How are those gorgeous cans of yours?

CATSUIT: Why are you obsessed with my breasts?

SEXYGAL: Hey, *someone* should be. Wink! I'll do ya.

CATSUIT: Speaking of doing, How's work?

SEXYGAL: Pffft! Ask me how Brad Nix is instead!

CATSUIT: You're kidding me! How's Brad Nix?

SEXYGAL: Heaven on a stick. That boy can play me like a bass anytime. Now what's going on with your weekend? You need another trip to Mexico for some margaritas, chica?

CATSUIT: I delivered a baby Friday night.

SEXYGAL: Get out!

CATSUIT: It was amazing, don't get me wrong, but if I never do it again, I'll be just fine. Not to mention I'm down another role-model-appropriate ensemble. Alicia didn't tell anyone she was in labor until she was crowining.

SEXYGAL: Crowning? You know what? Forget I asked. Penis or vagina?

CATSUIT: It was a girl.

SEXYGAL: Woot woot!

CATSUIT: Sure. I'm at 70% pay until further notice. The state grant didn't come through. Woot-woot-away.

SEXYGAL: You do need Cabo San Lucas, baby.

CATSUIT: Not that I have any time, or money, to take the trek.

SEXYGAL: You make the time, sugar. (And read the following in my phone sex voice...) I've already made the money.

CATSUIT: I can't let you treat me. Again.

SEXYGAL: Again...pfffft!

CATSUIT: And would you believe someone stole my piece of dirt radio?

SEXYGAL: Out of that piece of shit Escort?
SEXYGAL: Not that there's anything wrong with your car.

CATSUIT: No offense taken, I assure you.

SEXYGAL: Any word from Troy?

CATSUIT: Not since he sent his Tiger's cap.

SEXYGAL: Are you wearing that cap every night, or what?

CATSUIT: It's in my drawer, right next to my Vibralux.

SEXYGAL: Keep your eyes on that horizon, baby. We gave him a show he'll never forget.

CATSUIT: You do seem to bring out the tawdry in me.

SEXYGAL: What, like you weren't already erotically charged? That was no ordinary shower.

CATSUIT: Guess who's calling me?

SEXYGAL: Shontae, Shontae, bo-bontae?

CATSUIT: Think little brother with a passion for beer.

SEXYGAL: Don't answer it.

CATSUIT: I have to. He's in a little trouble, brother number one is still in Florida, and my parents have too much going with all of dad's tests. I'm his go-to gal.

SEXYGAL: What kind of trouble is he in?

CATSUIT: Stay tuned for Penny Dawn's Apple Pie. It's part of the AmberPAX Best in Game. All is explained in there.

SEXYGAL: Chin up, Best-in-boobs. I'm always here for you! Mexico next month. I won't take no for an answer.

CATSUIT: Sure, and Troy Douglas is going to arrive at Winthrop Harbor some hazy morning to take me away from all this.

SEXYGAL: Call when you can. I might know something you don't know. Brad talks in his sleep. Mwahahaha!

CATSUIT: My turn to say it: Get Out!

SEXYGAL: Look to the east, my buoyant-breasted babe. Word has it Troy's Tranquility is asea again.

CATSUIT: Smooch!

SEXYGAL: Screw the smooch. Give me tongue. Ta Ta!

Minutes of a Yoga Session with Troy Douglas

Yoga instructor says: "Let's go into downward dog."

Troy thinks: This is insane.

Yoga instructor says: "Feel the good energy overpowering the bad."

Troy thinks: I wish I were sailing. That's Tranquility for you.

Yoga instructor says: "Curl up into Cat."

Troy thinks: What's with all the animals?

Yoga instructor says: "And down into Child's Pose."

Troy thinks: Why do I always think of Faith Hennessy whenever someone mentions children?

Yoga instructor says: "Breathe. Cleansing breath."

Troy thinks: I need a cigarette.

Yoga instructor says: "Where are you going?"

Troy (reaching for his gym bag) says: "This is a bunch of malarky."

Yoga instructor says: "It's a practice in inner-cleansing."

Troy (tapping out a cigarette) says: "Cleanse away."

Yoga instructor says: "You can't smoke in here."

Troy says: "Can I smoke on Lake Superior?"

Yoga instructor says: "I don't see why n--"

Troy says: "Good luck to downward dog."

Retro Beat interview with Seth Graham

(fictional magazine, fictional interviewer, fictional character)

Interviewer: So, Seth Graham, back at the helm of 80s pop band Blue Silver. What do you think your chances are of a comeback?

Seth: Judging by the response we're getting, it looks like we have a good chance. Venues are selling well...

Interviewer: Well, they should, they're small. Does it frustrate you, that now you're filling clubs when you used to fill stadiums?

Seth: Of course not. The small venues are more intimate, give us a chance to connect with our fans in a way we never could before. Blue Silver isn't about the trappings of fame anymore, it's about the music. The music is meaningless without the fans. The big concerts are about being big. Getting the biggest crowd, being loud enough to shake the rafters two miles away, screwing up traffic for miles. I like the clubs, where you can sing to individuals, let them FEEL the emotion behind the music. You can be a lot more passionate on a small stage.

Interviewer: How's the band getting along, after being apart for so long?

Seth: We never were that far from each other. We've kept in touch over the years. And we're probably getting along better now than we did twenty years ago. Everyone's very enthusiastic about the tour, brainstorming ideas, writing new songs, and so on.

Interviewer: Rumor has it that Troy Douglas didn't want to come back.

Seth: You'd have to talk to him about that.

Interviewer: He seems to be as media-shy as ever. Julian Manchester, on the other hand...

Seth (laughs): Julian hasn't changed a bit.

Interviewer: You've known him a long time.

Seth: We started the band together, and even after it broke up, he was always there for me. Even when I was being a bloody idiot. Some friendships withstand anything.

Interviewer: Lots of egos in a band like yours. Robert Fox is quiet, and as we've said, Troy shuns the media. Brad Nix likes the limelight, though, as does Julian Manchester. Does it chaff at them that you're the frontman?

Seth: You're looking for trouble, mate, where there isn't any. Egos, sure, we all have them. But when you want something to work, like we want this tour to work, you don't let egos dictate your actions.

Interviewer: Speaking of trouble, you have a history of drug addiction. There are a lot of temptations on a tour.

Seth: Is there a question there?

Interviewer: Are you concerned about those temptations?

Seth: I've been clean for years. I anticipate temptations, but I have mechanisms in place to deal with them. I'm not risking my future for that crap anymore.

Interviewer: Is it fair to say "that crap" is what caused your marriage to fail?

Seth: Of course it is. But if it weren't for Cassie and Julian, I wouldn't be here today. Sometimes you have to lose something to appeciate it. Luckily, that something wasn't my life.

Robert (Fox)'s Rules of Order

* Drink decaf herbal tea instead of pop. Caffeine will make you tense, and if you're tense you'll be so busy worrying about yourself you'll miss something important.

* Call your Mum on a regular basis. And use the name she gave you.

* Don't fret about your career or your ego as long as you have enough money. Fame is fleeting but you can always play music.

* If you have extra after living expenses and fully funding your retirement, donate it to a worthy charity. Then you won't get anxious about what you should do with your surplus.

* When on the job or on tour, make sure you get enough sleep and healthy food. You never know when you'll need to be on your toes, and if you’re hung over, you'll just be on your face.

* Real men can eat quiche if they want. Eggs, cheese, spinach -- what's not to like?

* The skinny, gorgeous woman with the men lining up to take her home is a lot less interesting than the smirking woman in the corner. If you want an interesting life, choose interesting people to populate it.

* If you must open your mouth, always tell the truth. The truth now is better than your foot later.

* If your friends think you're a wanker because you won't get pissed with them, remind them what they did the last time they were under the influence. That's right, acted like wankers.

* Be on time.

* Avoid stressful situations and people whenever possible, unless said person is a sexy Silverette by the name of Arliss Edgeworth.

http://www.elliemarvel.com/bluesilver/robert.htm

********

Ellie M.
www.elliemarvel.com
www.bluesilverpax.com

Found in the Trash Can at the end of Seth Graham's Driveway

Note: Seth has provided his house in London as pre-tour headquarters for Blue Silver.

On a crumpled piece of notebook paper, stained with tea. Or maybe whiskey:

Seth,

The phones are dead. Pay the effin bill, will ya? I hadda go get a battery for my mobile. The keyboard won't be ready for a week. Don't tell Jules.

Pete [Blue Silver's production manager]


Seth,

I stopped by to drop off the lyrics for the new song, 'cause you weren't answering the phone. You need a hand with the bill? Anyway, I think this is the last revision. Maybe. I don't know, I might want to change the coda a little. Call me. I'm not comin' back till Jules's keyboard is done.

Brad [bass]


Pete,

What the hell do you mean, the keyboard won't be ready for another week? I can't go on stage with a board I haven't been intimate with, and you know it. If Amie wasn't on her way, I'd wait here for you so I could kick your arse. You coward.

Seth, pay the effin' bill already!

Julian [keyboard]


Seth,

Don't know where you are, mate, but sounds like it's better if I stay away a few days. Forget that photo shoot Pete's trying to set up for the Times. Last time they did a story on us, they made us pose in boxers.

Troy [drums]


Seth,

Let me know when the next rehearsal is. I can't hang around here with all this stress.

Robert [guitar]


Pete: The phone cord was ripped out of the wall. Stop getting pissed at the promoters.

Julian: The keyboard will be here tomorrow.

Brad: If you want it on the album, the song is done.

Robert: You're a laugh riot. Tomorrow, five o'clock.

Troy: That was 20 years ago, mate. Let it go.

You're all a bunch of wankers.

Seth [lead vocals]

"Superhero" cover

Here's a cover for a story in the "Lusty League" (Superhero) AmberPax...(click on the thumbnail for the full-sized version)....

Under Control by Natalie J. Damschroder (Available October 2006)

Trace Edward Zaber
Owner/Editorial Director/Creative Director
Amber Quill Press, LLC
The Gold Standard In Publishing!
http://amberquill.com

Arliss Gets a Phone Call

So the stories go, the Silverettes reconvened to relive the night that never was at a Blue Silver concert, and it turned into the night they'd never forget. Not that they forgot the FIRST night--they just didn't have what you'd call fond memories! To make the night happen, first somebody (aka Cassie) had to talk the band into starting the tour in Harrisburg, and then somebody (aka Georgie) had to call all the Silverettes and beg them to come to the concert. Somebody had to get the old gang together. Here's a little sample of Arliss's first phone call from Georgie. Beware of cussing -- Arliss is a bag o' profanity:

*****
The phone rang, startling Arliss's attempt to open the damn jar of peanut butter. The screwdriver slipped off the edge of the lid and jabbed her thigh.

"Shit!" She threw it onto the floor, along with the plastic container of peanut butter, which bounced and rolled under the table, and hobbled over to the telephone. No blood, but there'd be a bruise. She was as pale as milk and she bruised easy.

"This better not be a telemarketer," she snarled into the mouthpiece because she figured it would and she liked to scare them off as soon as possible. After all, nobody else ever called her. Mother wasn't allowed to make calls after the last incident.

"I'm looking for Arliss Edgeworth," said a soft female voice. "I think it's still Edgeworth. She might have gotten married."

"Fat chance. Who's this?" Arliss asked. She almost recognized the voice but couldn't be sure. If it was another mistress of Dad's from before he was in prison, she hoped the woman wasn't expecting a handout. The one with the kid, Arliss's supposed half-sister, had been the most recent to track Arliss down.

At least she'd tracked Arliss down and not Arliss's poor mother.

"This is Georgie. Georgie Davis. From high school. Is this Arliss?"

"Holy crap, I mean, wow! Really?" Georgie had been one of the four reasons Arliss had made it through high school without murdering anybody. Also one of the four reasons she had a head full of Blue Silver trivia and no French, but you could forgive people some sins.

"Really," Georgie said. "It's me. How are you?"

"Well, I'm..."

Arliss paused for a moment before finishing. She stood straighter, almost unconsciously, and tried to calm the butterflies in her stomach. She and her high school pals had drifted apart after the fiasco with her Dad's company. If Arliss were honest with herself, a nasty habit her therapist encouraged, she could admit the parting was her fault as well, for not trying harder.

Trying harder, of course, was synonymous with trying at all. She'd been so humiliated at that point in her life she hadn't wanted to face anybody or anything. The fiasco with her Dad wound up with him in jail, her mom in a mental institution, and Arliss in foster care. That was preceded, only slightly, by the tragedy of the missed Blue Silver concert, a tragedy Arliss figured the other girls in the Silverettes fan club blamed her for.

But still, to have one of those girls, once her favorite people in the world, reaching out to her...

"I'm good," she said finally. "It's been so long. How are you?"

*****

Ellie M.
www.elliemarvel.com
www.bluesilverpax.com

Recommended Reads 9Sep06

Here are my latest Amber Quill recommended reads:

The Professor's Secret Passion by M.L. Rhodes (www.amberheat.com)
Shadow of the Beast by Margart Carter (horror) (www.amberquill.com)

Catherine
aka Caitlyn

And Still Another Gay Romance Cover......

Here's yet another cover for a story in the Hidden Desires AmberPax...(click on the thumbnail for the full-sized version)....

The Andumi Effect by Laura Bacchi (Available October 2006)

Trace Edward Zaber
Owner/Editorial Director/Creative Director
Amber Quill Press, LLC
The Gold Standard In Publishing!
http://amberquill.com

Are U Ready to Rock the Blog?

My friends and I have a group author blog we call the Midnight Moon Café. http://www.midnightmooncafe.blogspot.com

And in September we are going to ROCK THE BLOG!

Part musical, part literary and lots of fun, the Midnight Moon Café is starting our September kick-off with a scavenger hunt! Scattered within our websites, individual blogs and at the café, are clues that will eventually lead to some really nifty little prizes. Like a free copy of my ebook, I Put A Spell On You, an Amber Quill gift certificate, iTunes gift card, aroma candles, bewitchingly beautiful book thongs, free pizza and more…

The first clue will be officially posted on Saturday, September 9th at the Midnight Moon Café. http://www.midnightmooncafe.blogspot.com

But to play you must register first. To sign in, send an email to: midnightmooncafe@gmail.com, and in the subject line type: I Wanna Rock The Blog.

Sign-ups will be accepted until midnight September 12th. The hunt officially ends September 25.

For more details, stop back by the Café later this week–oh, and tell them Cassandra sent you. *wink*

Cassandra Curtis
http://cassandracurtis.com
I Put A Spell On You • Amber Heat

WTH, Georgie?

Instant Message:

CAFHoncho: WTH, Georgie? I saw that old note you posted on that blog. Do you WANT people to think you're a twelve-year-old twit?

GEORGIED: We were 15. Want me to post your response? :)

CAFHoncho: *horrified* God, no!

GEORGIED: I'm so excited about this concert, Cassie! I can't believe they're coming back! After 20 years!

CAFHoncho: We don't know they're coming back, Georgie.

GEORGIED: But you told Seth your idea, right? About the charity angle? And he loved it, right?

CAFHoncho: He liked it. But he's not who has to be convinced.

GEORGIED: Pete'll come around. Hey, did you talk to Julian?

CAFHoncho: Why would I talk to Julian?

GEORGIED: I dunno, just thought you might. You said they're all holed up at Seth's, right, prepping for the concert?

CAFHoncho: I guess.

GEORGIED: God, Julian is sooooooooooooo hot. Did you see that little pic in Retro Beat? OMG, he has purple hair again!!!!!!!!

CAFHoncho: Geez, you ARE 12.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Georgie Davis is dying to see Blue Silver as they launch their comeback tour. Cassie Bryant (CAFHoncho) pretends she isn't, but come on! She's not fooling anyone, least of all her best friend. See what happens in the BLUE SILVER AmberPax, www.bluesilverpax.com

Nothing Like the Sun

Excerpt from Blue Silver: Nothing Like the Sun
by Megan Hart
available now!

The concert was fantastic. Better even than her imagination could have made it because her mind had left out all the inconvenient details, like the drops of sweat flung off Seth Graham's face as he leaned into the crowd to howl out the lyrics to one of Blue Silver's biggest hits, or the way the Troy Douglas' drumsticks had had his name burned into them in flowing script. Georgie had gathered all those little pieces, the details that made the experience real, to herself, where she could sort through them later at her leisure and imprint the memories so she'd have them forever. Georgie was transported, and having her friends there to share it had made it all that much better, even if Cassie had refused to introduce Georgie to Julian at the airport.

It ended too soon, leaving her gasping for air and drenched with sweat. As the house lights came up, she giggled and gushed with Marcy and Faith and gave Cassie a high five. She even squeezed Arliss.

"I'll see you at the after-party," she told Cassie as the crowd swept toward the doors.

Cassie gave her a dark look. "Yeah, yeah."

Still grinning, Georgie ran across the walkway over the street from the theater to the hotel, and took the stairs to her first-floor room, booked for the express purpose of swift access. A good whore didn't need hours of primping to look her best. One of Esther's lessons, taken to heart. Georgie had rehearsed this like she'd practiced everything else from how to deep throat--she didn't think she could eat a banana again for years--to how to look as sexy putting her clothes on as she did taking them off.

She leaped into the shower, scrubbing, hair under a shower cap to keep it from getting wet. Pits, tits, clit and ass, out of the shower, pat dry, not rub, to keep some moisture on her skin. Lotion, smelling faintly of vanilla, not a scent she preferred, but one studies had shown men responded to. Then, using an additional trick from Esther, she ran a finger through soft folds and pressed it to her wrists and behind her ears; the soft feminine scent of her own body, enhanced by perfume and nearly indistinguishable, but, Esther assured her, guaranteed to drive a man wild should he get close enough to smell her. Georgie fully intended to get Julian close enough to her.

Still naked, only ten minutes gone by on the clock, she used the straightening iron to touch up her hair so it fell smoothly to just below her shoulders. Practiced fingers swiped on foundation, liner, mascara, lipstick. She used glittery powder on her face, shoulders and bust. Twenty minutes now, by the clock, and her hands had begun shaking.

Like an athlete who'd trained for months to run a race or a dancer who'd rehearsed for years to perform a ballet, Georgie was about to face the results of her hours of practice.

"Stop. Deep breath," she told her reflection, which looked slightly wild-eyed. "You can do this."

She tilted her head and ran a tongue across her lips. During her hours of vigil at Joe's bedside, Georgie had lost herself in classic movies. She'd modeled herself on those sex symbols. Marilyn, Lana, a bit of Scarlett O'Hara, and don't forget to add a dash of Bette. Davis, not Midler.

Thus armored with the faces of screen legends, Georgie dressed. Bra, garter belt, panties, stockings. At last, the fitted blouse of dark plum, the top button, shaped like a dragonfly, nestled just between her breasts. After that, the slim black linen skirt. Nothing fancy. It hit her just above the knee and had slits on either side that opened invitingly when she walked or sat, to reveal a glimpse of black-stocking clad thigh. She made sure her seams were straight, then picked up the shoes.

"You're my lucky charms, ladies," she told each one, kissing the dark satin and not feeling the least bit silly for doing so. "Take me where I want to go."

She put on the shoes. And she was there.

Dear Cassie,

(note passed to Cassie in study hall)

CASSIE!!!!

Blue Silver is coming! They are coming to Harrisburg! For a concert!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We totally need to go. I mean, like, it's really important to the club!!!!!!

Omigod, ew, chicken patties for lunch!!!!

This study hall is sooooo boooorrrrrring!!

Georgie

PS -- There's a picture of Julian in this month's HOT POP mag and omigod he is SO BITCHIN'! TOTALLY

Flashback 80's Weekend

Hey. Who's out there? The Silverettes are blogging this weekend, and you're invited! For more information about who the Silverettes are (as well as how to become one), check out http://www.bluesilverpax.com.

Let's start with some links to 80's quizzes to get you in the mood! Have a laugh! Post your scores!

Check out http://www.yetanotherdot.com/asp/80s.html for the "big test".

Smaller tests can be found at: http://www.okcupid.com/tests/take?testid=7191977916745482802
And: http://www.blogthings.com/knowabout80smusicquiz/

So who's an 80's music expert? Anybody know any good links to 80's quizzes of the non-musical variety?

Soon to follow -- posts from the Silverettes themselves.

Ellie Marvel
www.elliemarvel.com
www.bluesilverpax.com

Obsidian's Flame - Coming Next Month!

I'm so happy to be part of the upcoming Lusty League Pax.


Didn't Trace do a great job on my cover?!? Here's a sneak peek at my story, Obsidian's Flame:

In the twenty-first century, genetic manipulations have turned entire generations of enhanced humans into outcasts from Earth. They go to whatever worlds they can find. Samantha Burton, a fire-starter, lands on New Chance, an isolated mining community, and supports herself as best she can. Trying to retrieve evidence that the mining process is deadly, she runs up against law enforcement officer Obsidian, another Enhanced human. His ability to form impenetrable body armor makes him nearly invincible. Can she trust him to help her? Or will he be like the rest of the enforcers in the community--on the take and looking out for number one?

~ * ~

Obsidian shifted in his chair, making her realize she’d been staring at him while her thoughts churned. Sam was startled to see him staring right back at her, one dark eyebrow lifted as if to ask if she was done yet. She looked down and pushed the last piece of her bread around in the white sauce on her plate. But knowing he still watched her made her too nervous to finish eating.

She motioned to her server, who brought over her bill. Handing him some credit chips, she pushed back her chair and walked with quick strides toward the door. Once she was outside, she started down the street. Before she’d taken a dozen steps, a big hand grabbed her arm and pulled her into an alley. She found herself thrust against the wall, a brawny forearm across her collarbones, big fingers curling over her shoulder.

Sam gasped and looked up into the dark brown eyes of Obsidian.

“You wanna tell me why you’ve been shadowin’ me, little girl?” His gruff voice with its Cajun drawl rasped over her eardrums and set up tiny eruptions along her nerve endings. He was a handsome devil, with his sinful eyes and sexy, made-for-kissing mouth. But he was way out of her league.

“I’m not shadowing you,” she muttered, wiggling against his hold. At five-nine she could hardly be called little, but compared to his bulk and the fact he had nearly a foot of height on her, she supposed he might see her that way. Not that she appreciated it.

“Hmm. You’ve been here a lot lately.” He tightened his fingers on her shoulder and she stilled, looking up at his hard face. Suspicion glittered in his eyes. “You want me to believe you just had a hankerin’ for good French cuisine?”

“It’s an affordable place, on some of the items.” In her experience, when all else failed, you tried to brazen your way out. “But, wow. I’m impressed you can pronounce a word like cuisine, let alone that you know what it means.” She raised her eyebrows, trying to appear astonished.

His eyes narrowed and she bit her lip against a grin. Score one for Sam.

“Maybe there’s more to you than meets the eye, hmm?” he asked, leaning over her, bringing his face within inches of hers. His breath smelled of spice and wine, and she caught an underlying scent of musky cologne on his skin. That smell and the heat from his big body made her weak in the knees. “You seem well-educated for a smartass street rat.” His lips tilted in a sardonic half-smile.

Her urge to grin faded. All right, score one for the muscle-bound security guy.

If she could get out from under his arm, she could blast him with fire, forcing him to activate his enhancement—skin that transformed into body armor, impenetrable and black as night. Hence, his nickname. Obsidian. But when he was in full Obsidian mode, he was bulky, slow. She could easily outrun him. And she would, first chance she got. Just as soon as she took another whiff of him.

“Trey!” A man from the street leaned around the corner of the building. Sam turned her head the same time Obsidian did to see a short, broad figure in the light of the streetlamp. “What’re you doing, ami?” The same Cajun accent as Obsidian’s colored the man’s voice. “You don’t need no whore. Come on, your food’s gettin’ cold.”

Sam stiffened. Since she’d left Earth, she’d done a lot of things she wasn’t very proud of in order to survive, but she hadn’t resorted to selling her body. Not yet. Not ever, she hoped.

“Settle down, little girl,” the big guy murmured. To his friend, he called, “I’ll be right back, André.” He waited until the other man walked out of sight, then his face turned back toward hers and, almost as if in slow motion, he leaned over her so closely their noses nearly touched. His free hand came up and cool fingers skimmed her cheek, curled around her jaw. “I think there is more to you than meets the eye, cher,” he murmured. With an intense gaze, he searched her face, scrutinizing her features.

“You do?” What an inane response, she thought, but his touch distracted her, tightened her insides, made her want to touch him back and run away all at the same time.

“Mmm.” His thumb rubbed lightly over the corner of her mouth, then slipped along her lower lip. When her mouth opened, he covered it with his own. He nibbled at her lips, lightly sucking, drinking down her sigh. His caress was light, as if he touched something fragile.

Sam had never been touched with such care before, wouldn’t have expected it from a tough guy like Obsidian. She wondered if he would touch the rest of her body the same way. Even as her toes curled at the thought, she pushed at his shoulders. What the hell was wrong with her? He was über-elite on this world; she was nothing. He and his kind were superheroes here.

Well, as close to superheroes as a bass-ackward planet like New Chance was likely to get.

Copyright ©2006 Sherrill Quinn. All Rights Reserved.


"Sherrill Quinn keeps raising the bar with her edgy and erotic writing style." Kerin, EuroReviews

"Ms. Quinn is an exceptional voice in romance..." Dawn, Love Romances & More


Join my newsletter to get information about new releases and...free stories! Or, if you'd like more interaction--getting to read excerpts before anyone else, see new reviews, and even more free stories, join my newsgroup. We'll be chatting this month with uber-talented Ellora's Cave author Denise Agnew and the fabulous Cheyenne McCray!

Sherrill Quinn
Follow your passion to the edge...and beyond
Website | Blog | MySpace | Indulge Authors

Another Gay Romance Cover

Here's another cover for a story in the Hidden Desires AmberPax...(click on the thumbnail for the full-sized version)....

Mariposa Soul by Adrianna Dane (Available October 2006)

Trace Edward Zaber
Owner/Editorial Director/Creative Director
Amber Quill Press, LLC
The Gold Standard In Publishing!
http://amberquill.com

New Release from M.L. Rhodes!

It's available now!! I'm very psyched! My M/M erotic romance, The Professor's Secret Passion! And it's already gotten its first review--5 lips from TwoLips Reviews!!!

Here's the blurb...

Professor Aidan Sheridan has secretly fantasized about his grad student, Nathan Turner, for two long years. And now Nathan is hinting he’d like to move beyond their professional association to something on a deeper, more intimate level. Although Aidan longs to claim the sexy, younger man as a lover, he doesn’t dare admit that he, too, burns for more. Not if he intends to protect Nate from a bitter event in his own past that still haunts him.

When Nate suspects Aidan is hiding his real feelings, he takes matters into his own hands. The long-pent-up passion between them explodes into a night of erotic and emotional intensity neither man can forget. But in the light of day, will Nate’s love be enough to heal Aidan, or will the professor’s fears tear them apart?

And here's the review from Frost at TwoLips...

5 Lips!! "Nate Turner highly values the wisdom and experience he’s gaining working as a graduate student teaching assistant for Professor Aidan Sheridan. Aidan is at the top in his field, and in more than two years Nate’s had many opportunities to be thankful for his advisor, but during this current semester Nate has realized that his feelings for the Professor are much deeper than just gratitude and friendship. Nate has been out for twelve years and is now ready to settle into commitment; the nine-year-older Professor is just the man in his sights.

When Aidan offers Nate an opportunity to accompany him on a summer seminar teaching position in Chicago, Nate thinks this is the open door for which he’s hoped. But when Nate broaches the subject of his feelings for Aidan, the Professor demurs. Negative experiences in his own past are keeping Aidan in thrall to fear of intimacy. When Aidan tells Nate outright that he’s not interested, Nate remembers all the non-verbal signals, the looks, touches, and sighs, and he refuses to be a party any longer to Aidan’s denial.

I haven’t been this strongly affected by a book in quite a long while. I can’t imagine any reader not sweltering, sighing, sobbing, and throbbing through The Professor’s Secret Passion. ML Rhodes has long been known as a writer of steamy erotica, but in this book, she has definitely surpassed herself. Reader: if you’re looking for a late-night bedtime treat, pick up on The Professor’s Secret Passion."

Woo hoo! Thanks so much, Frost! I'm glad you enjoyed my man love story!

Click here to read an excerpt of The Professor's Secret Passion
Click here to buy your copy now!

Happy reading everyone!

ML

M.L. Rhodes
Hot nights. Hot heroes. Hot reads.
www.mlrhodeswriting.com

New Gay Cover

Here's a cover for an upcoming "Gay Regency Romance" story, which will be part of the Hidden Desires AmberPax...(click on the thumbnail for the full-sized version)....

Finding Jason by Lyndi Lamont (Available October 2006)

Trace Edward Zaber
Owner/Editorial Director/Creative Director
Amber Quill Press, LLC
The Gold Standard In Publishing!
http://amberquill.com

Love on Other Worlds...

I cannot believe that this is Arizona as I look out my office window at a gray morning, a very green front yard and a soaked old Turkey Vulture perched on a power pole down near my well! It has been flaring wings and fidgeting around as if its feathers are too wet to fly! Poor thing. They are so out of their element anywhere except in the air and look awkward, but in the sky they are incredible fliers! .As one who has always wanted to fly—not in a plane but just out there in the air!!—I am intrigued by them.

If you have not checked in lately, you might want to pop over to The Adventures of Amber Quill over at http://ambersadventure.greatestjournal.com/ Amber reports on our adventure at the drowned rodeo on September 3. It was something! Kinda ruined the cowboy watching though (wry grin)

Well, on such a depressing looking day, I need to do something to get the blood moving and a little excitement stirring. So, how about a short excerpt from my next release, one which will be part of another Amber Heat first, an Amber Pax of M/M romance tales that will come out next month! This is from the unedited version since I just got the suggested edits back from my editor and have not gone over them yet.

I never expected to write a gay romance but after we’d been discussing the possibilities on the author’s loop, I awoke one morning and hand-wrote about five pages in a mini-legal tablet I keep on the counter for notes while I ate breakfast. The story was that compelling and when the Muse gives you a gift like that, you darn well do not tell her to shove off!! Treading Dangerous Ground is the result.

I’ve always loved science fiction to which my late hubby introduced me when we were first going together. Over the years I’ve read a lot of SF and Fantasy. I know what I like so I try to give the same to my readers and hope they like it too. Anyway, here is a little snip to introduce you all to Jayce and Balt, my lead characters in Treading Dangerous Ground. Rating maybe NC-17 Enjoy!


2279, Main Starfleet Base, Titan

Jayce woke bathed in sweat with an aching hard-on. He’d dozed off on his bunk, bored with this mandatory return to home base, allegedly for R&R. Nothing to do but fret. It drove him half-mad. Of course he’d had that damned dream again, the one he couldn’t seem to get rid of, no matter what he tried.

Damn, will that night ever stop haunting me? He exhaled in a jerky sigh. It had been over a year, yet the memories were as fresh as yesterday’s.

The action at Morte Ravine was little more than a footnote now in the conquest of Kalibassi. The whole campaign had already been swallowed by history with the discovery of yet more new worlds to conquer. He’d be heading out again soon to one of them.

But he still couldn’t forget. The night had been hot. Kalibassi was always hot. Ninety percent desert, the rest of the planet was one small super-saline ocean, almost absorbed into the sandy land masses.

Their body armor weighed heavy on tired muscles and blistered skin. It seemed to press the heat into flesh and bone. They’d all thought of taking it off, but no one dared. Dusk fell as Jayce arrayed his squad along the twisting ravine. It was the only escape route out of Kalibar, the apparent capital of this backward world, once the main force marched in by the wider pass to the west.

Balt—Cadet Lieutenant Baltazar Donovan—was the youngest man, the newest soldier. Fresh from basic training, he was green as the spring prairie. He might have been the top trainee in his class, but that was not combat. Any concerned officer would have done the same, Jayce reasoned. You kept the most vulnerable soldiers close while they learned the ropes.

The plants and pests of Kalibassi were fully as dangerous as their rag-tag military. One bite from a sand spider or any of the small, swift adders brought quick and painful death. Even the thorns of the cactus-like shrubs caused infection and frequent allergic reactions. There was nothing hospitable about the place at all. It was valuable only for the rare and precious minerals the Uni-Council coveted with avid greed. For those resources, another world was taken.

Darkness fell, heavy as the heat. It was one of those rare nights when all three of the Kalibassi moons were out of sight. The desert world’s perpetual haze hid the stars from view. Without their night vision goggles, every man jack of them might as well be blind. The scopes relied on infer-red, which in turn required life. That night, empty darkness as deeply black as boot polish, covered the ugly world.

Kneeling on chelvar ground cloths which were supposed to repel the vermin, the twenty soldiers settled down to wait. The keening wind, blowing off the craggy mountains behind them, made it hard to hear if anyone approached. The Kalibans might be primitive, but they knew their home. Besides having extraordinary vision, they could move noiselessly. One could approach, grab you, and slit your throat with one of their vicious obsidian blades all without making a sound. When long-distance high-tech weapons did not stop them, they killed with chilling efficiency.

The sand whispered as Balt edged closer, dragging his ground cloth. When he spoke, his shivers stuttered out in his speech.

“D-d-damn it, s-s-sir. I-I-I’m scared. I didn’t think I would be but I’m scared shitless.”

In his mind’s eyes, Jayce could see the younger man’s face as clearly as if it were broad daylight. He was almost too beautiful, wide set liquid ebony eyes fringed with heavy lashes, firm rose-hued lips, delicate features that somehow mirrored his odd mix of Hispanic and Celtic heritage.

The others teased him over his looks, but he took it in good nature. In spite of the beauty of his face, his physique was all male. He had wide shoulders and a trim waist, long muscular legs and an athlete’s grace. In time he would make a good soldier. But to do so, he had to survive long enough to learn and mature.

Jayce felt the heat of the younger man’s body. Balt was that close. “I’ll tell you a secret,” he said, his voice coming out in a rasp. “We’re all scared, every fuckin’ time. Not many of us want to die. Certainly none of us want it to happen on some god-forsaken dump light years from home. Anyone who isn’t scared is a complete fool.”

He heard Balt’s rough sigh. “Honest, sir?”

“Hell yes! I’m scared right now although I’ve seen action on a dozen worlds, from ice-bound Boreanor to steamy jungles on Questane and now this shit pit.”

After a moment of silence, the younger soldier spoke again, softly, so softly Jayce barely heard him. “Is it all right, er, do you mind if I stay here with you?”

Jayce nodded, then realized the action could not be seen unless Balt had his goggles on and was looking directly at Jayce. “No, it’s okay.”

Before the night ended, he found himself holding the young soldier. Just holding him, nothing more, much as a parent would console a frightened child. He only meant to give the elemental comfort of human contact, yet later his dreams took the situation far beyond that.

Even now, months later, he could still feel Balt’s sleek, muscled body. He could feel the heat and the sudden awareness that had swept through him. It was a blatantly sexual heat, an encompassing hunger that sank its fangs into him and would not let go. …

More as the release date approaches. I am dying to see what our uber-talented Trace comes up with for a cover! I have my mental visions of Jayce and Balt but he will likely not only improve on that but give a sizzle that won’t quit! Jayce is not described too much since most of the story is in his POV, but he is of Native American ancestry. I don’t give him a tribe but it’s probably Lakota or Cheyenne. He’s in his thirties, fairly tall, lean, and maybe looks just a teensy bit like Wes Studi (Dances with Wolves, PBS’s films of the Hillerman books etc.) A narrow face with sharp features, keen dark eyes etc.
He’s never thought of himself as bi or gay so this attraction is a harsh shock to him.

I expect I will revisit the universe I have started to build here. I see a lot of things that I want to explore more deeply such as the initial settlement of the “rebel” planet, and perhaps future conflicts between the Uni-Council and a new confederation they bump into in their push out through space in greedy search of more wealth! We might even drop in on Jayce and Balt at some future point but that is for my Muse to decide.

For now may the force be with you. I will pop in later with details on a new little contest and any other tidbits that come to mind as the day evolves.

Slainte!
Deirdre

Bohemian Nights and Flash Fiction Friday at the Café

My flash fiction piece, The Wolf Wore Leather Pants, is "live" at the Midnight Moon Café.
Stop over if you get a chance and enjoy the virtually free lattés and biscotti. ;)

Each Friday, a different paranormal author will entertain you with a quick read of their flash fiction. So–hook up your laptop, the Café is wi-fi enabled, and buzz on over.